Simone Biles Clinches Historic Ninth National All-Around Title

By LeJeune Spencer // Women’s Sports/ EEW Magazine Online

Simone Biles extended her record with another all-around title at the U.S. championships on Sunday night. (Elsa/Getty Images)

FORT WORTH, Texas (EEW MAGAZINE ONLINE) —Simone Biles added another remarkable chapter to her storied career Sunday night, capturing her ninth national all-around title at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships.

Biles, aiming for a third Olympics in Paris this summer, delivered a nearly flawless performance, earning gold on all four apparatuses. Her victory in Texas secures her spot in the U.S. Olympic Trials later this summer. Biles' all-around total of 119.750 points solidified her status as the first gymnast, male or female, to achieve nine national all-around titles. She set this record last year, surpassing Alfred Jochim's longstanding record, and also became the oldest woman to win the title.

Despite a one-point deduction for a fall on her signature Yurchenko double pike vault, marking her first fall of the season, Biles' dominance was unquestionable. Last month, she also claimed the all-around title at the U.S. Classic, reinforcing her position as the leading contender for the Olympics.

Skye Blakely secured second place with a score of 113.850, narrowly edging out Kayla DiCello, who took bronze with 110.800. Shilese Jones, absent due to a shoulder injury, along with Kaliya Lincoln, received petitions to compete in the Olympic Trials.

Biles' comeback journey continues as she prepares for the Olympics, having led Team USA to a team title at the World Gymnastics Championships last fall and earning The Associated Press' Female Athlete of the Year award in 2023.

With her eyes set on Paris, Biles is poised to be one of the most-watched athletes this summer, marking her return to the Olympic stage after facing the "twisties" in Tokyo 2020. The Olympic Trials commence on June 27 in Minneapolis, a month ahead of the Paris Games opening ceremony.